He runs through the hallways, shoving people aside, trying to get to Rae's locker before the bell rings.
"Rae! RAE!" He yells, seeing her ponytail bobbing ahead of him. She turns, just in time to see him barreling into her. He picks her up and spins her around wildly, nearly hitting other students.
"What the…?!" She demands, pounding on his back, trying to get his attention to put her down.
"B-! B-!" He yells and she stares up at him, uncomprehending. "I got a B- on my oral report!" He explains and her face lights up in delight and she jumps up, hugging him around the neck.
"I'm so proud!" She says, squeezing him tightly. "I knew you could!" He sets her down, beaming. She grins up at him, both hands on the side of his face. "So, so, so proud." She says. He just grins, unable to help himself. "Go tell Mrs. Taylor." She orders.
"Should I?" He asks, suddenly unsure.
"Yeah." Rae softly reassures him. "And then come to my house after practice and we can start work on math." She informs him. He groans. "Oh, don't whine, you hardly did a third of my fence the other day." He shakes his head but he's smiling. "Tim, I'm proud of you." She says, quietly but fiercely. He pulls her into a tight hug, beaming. Over the top of her head, he can see Tyra watching them with a disgusted face, but he's too excited to care.
Thursday night, he's reciting the names of the presidents while pulling weeds when suddenly he stops and looks at Rae.
"It's Cleveland after Harrison, Tim, you know that." She calls, not looking up from her book. He takes off the gloves and strides onto the porch. "What's wrong?" She asks, looking up at him, concerned.
"Come to the rodeo with me." He says abruptly.
"What?" She asks, taken aback.
"Lyla's gonna be there, probably with Jason. And Tyra's gonna be there and I just need somebody to keep my mind off of them and this damn game." He says, rubbing the back of his head.
"Tim Riggins, this better not be a date." She threatens.
"I'll recite the presidents the whole time, I swear." He promises, with a crooked smile. She grins.
"Yeah, alright, we can go to the rodeo. Carden, babysit yourself for a night!" She yells. His response is another 'thump' of a ball hitting the shed wall.
Rae watches the people mill about, shrinking back into Tim's side.
"I hate Texas." She mutters, for what may be the millionth time. He's not even offended anymore; he just accepts it as part of her coping mechanism. It's almost cute at this point.
"Washington…" He says quietly. She takes a deep breath.
"Adams, Jefferson, Madison." She says, under her breath.
"Monroe." He says, pulling her into the crowd. They mainly stick to the outskirts, watching and observing. Occasionally, he'll point out a teammate or a parent that warrants notice.
Sometimes his teammates approach, wondering whom Rae is. Tim introduces her as the new girl and his neighbor. Rae is just starting to get comfortable when Tim reaches down and takes her hand. She jumps, looking up him in shock, but he's not looking at her. He's dragging her toward his coach and his wife. Dread twists her stomach.
"Hey Coach." Tim says, sticking out his hand. Coach Taylor shakes it, with a small smile.
"Tim, my wife was just telling me about your oral report and math quiz. Sounds like you're doing just fine son." He says, clapping his back.
"Well, that's uh, why I came over coach. I haven't been doing it alone." He says, shuffling to the side and pulling Rae in front of his coach. "This is Rae, she's my tutor."
"Rae, it's good to see you again. How's your brother?" Mr. Taylor asks warmly, shaking her hand.
"He's alright." Rae says, nodding.
"Is he gonna go out for football anytime soon?" He asks curiously. Rae shakes her head.
"No, I doubt he will. Football isn't really his thing." She says, biting her lip like she does when she's nervous.
"But he's good at it." Tim protests and Rae gives him a surprised look. "He's pretty little, but he's quick. He's got quick feet and soft hands." He says and Mr. Taylor nods thoughtfully.
"Well next time you come over to supper with Julie, bring him with. I'd love to throw the ball around with him. Not very often do we get fresh blood in Dillon." He says, smiling at her.
"I guess I can bring it up to him and see if he wants to." Rae says softly, not making eye contact.
"Keep up the good work Rae. I've seen a lot of improvement in Tim." Mrs. Taylor says, touching her arm. Rae just nods then waves goodbye and yanks Tim away, back to an alley between booths.
"What's wrong?" He asks, noticing in alarm how pale her face is.
"I don't fit in here. I'm the town drunk's daughter. I hate the pitying looks I get." She says, putting her face in her hands.
"This is the south, they pity everybody." Tim reassures her.
"Yeah, fine, but do it behind my back." Rae mutters, shaking her head. "Ok, I'm being dumb." She takes a deep couple breathes then smiles up at him. "Am I good at covering my feelings like a good southern woman yet?" She asks, only a hint of bitterness in her tone. Tim chuckles.
"Yeah, you're doing just fine." He agrees, pulling her back into the crowd. They're still wandering when the announcer comes on, with the new that Buckley won, and to her surprise, Tim picks her up and crushes her to his chest, cheering. She grins and cheers with him.